Marin gays and lesbians expressed optimism about the outcome as the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday took up the first of two cases dealing with same-sex marriage.

"I'm surprised we're at this juncture in my lifetime," said Wanden Treanor, a San Rafael lawyer and long-time member of the College of Marin Board of Trustees, who has lived with her partner, Marin Superior Court Judge Faye D'Opal, for 30 years.

Paula Pilecki, executive director of the Spectrum LGBT Center in San Rafael, said, "Regardless of what happens, we've elevated the conversation to a national level, and that is what has to happen to change hearts and minds about marriage equality."

Sally Kuhlman of Mill Valley, who married her partner, Celia Graterol, in 2008, said she would consider it a victory even if the court legalizes gay marriage only in California.

"It won't be as big a step as I'd like to see," Kuhlman said. "But it will be a baby step in the right direction. I'll feel we're progressing, and that will make me happy."

Based on questions asked by the justices Tuesday, some court observers speculated the court is unlikely to issue a sweeping ruling that would establish the right of same-sex couples to marry nationwide.

Andy Fyne, spokesman for the Marin AIDS Project, said he expects the court to simply rule that the Proposition 8 proponents had no legal standing to bring the case to the high court in the first place. That would make same-sex marriage legal in California; but it would leave the rest of the country unaffected.

Fyne said, "I think that's the best we can expect right now; I'm kind of a pessimist when it comes to that. The Supreme Court has an easy way out."

But Barbara Monty, a San Rafael lawyer who hopes to someday marry her partner of 31 years, said, "Who knows what the Supreme Court is going to do. I can't predict how it's going to go. I would like to see the Supreme Court do the right thing: grant full and complete rights to all American citizens and allow same-sex couples to be married."

While some members of the gay community expressed wonder at the speed of change, others wondered what is taking so long.

Michael Frank, Novato's city manager, who married his partner David Adams in 2008, said, "I think folks have waited long enough. It's not a political issue; it's not a religious issue; it's an issue of fairness. At some point the court needs to take a stand regarding that fairness."

Frank and Adams share custody of their 11-year-old daughter with her mother, who is a lesbian. Frank said he is impatient for the federal government to recognize the legitimacy of his marriage partly for his daughter's sake.

Tiburon resident Jeanne Rizzo and wife Pali Cooper were lead plaintiffs in the initial case that challenged the state constitution on same-sex marriage in 2004.

Rizzo said, "We wondered then if we were going to see this in our lifetime. I'm not one who felt that we ought to hold back and wait. Gavin Newsom taught us that waiting doesn't get us anywhere. What he did set this whole thing in motion. I think we do need to push the issue."

Treanor said that Wednesday, when the Supreme Court takes up the legality of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, could be even more pivotal.

"That is where the bulk of the discrimination is, in the federal laws," Treanor said.

Pilecki said she expects the court to rule narrowly on Proposition 8.

"And I'm not disappointed because tomorrow the Defense of Marriage case is being heard," Pilecki said. "I think the only way we're going to get full marriage equality is when we strike down DOMA."